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speedmachine
Original Poster
364 posts
76 months
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Does anyone on here have Osram Nightbreake headlamp bulbs fitted? My car (Audi A4) has projector lenses but doesn't have xenons. The light from the standard bulbs is pretty poor in my opinion. I don't really want to go down the route of an after market HID kit, mainy because I can't be bothered to fit them.
The Osram Nightbreakers are about £30 so before I buy them I thought I'd see if anyone here has them and how much of an improvment over the original bulbs they are? Alternatively, it would be good to here of any other non HID suggestions.
Thanks
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TallPaul
933 posts
127 months
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You could fit 100W bulbs and upgrade the wiring by fitting a relay to each lamp, ensuring the bulb gets a full 12V direct from the battery. You'll need thicker wiring from the relay to the bulb and there is a risk of the extra heat melting the lamp body, but I've done this a to a couple of cars in the past (last one was my mk2 Astra GTE) without any problems.
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g3org3y
6,807 posts
60 months
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Decent bulbs, always heard good reports (plus always decent write ups in Auto Express bulbs tests).
Also worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4?
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jkh112
196 posts
27 months
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I tried nightbreakers on a previous car, better than standard bulbs. I have now tried Phillips x-treme +100% and find them slightly better than the nightbreakers, but it is hard to tell as they are in a different car.
None of these replacement bulbs are anywhere near as good as the factory HIDs I had in my old Audi though. I am not keen on retro fit HIDs and also the rumours about the new MOT rules would put me off as well.
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speedmachine
Original Poster
364 posts
76 months
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TallPaul said: You could fit 100W bulbs and upgrade the wiring by fitting a relay to each lamp, ensuring the bulb gets a full 12V direct from the battery. You'll need thicker wiring from the relay to the bulb and there is a risk of the extra heat melting the lamp body, but I've done this a to a couple of cars in the past (last one was my mk2 Astra GTE) without any problems. Sounds like a bit of a faff for me. I'm just after a straight swap of bulbs that give the best results short of fitting HIDs.
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VxDuncan
2,746 posts
103 months
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100w aren't road legal.
Just fitted some nightbreakers to my car. Seem far better than the stock vauxhall ones. Don't expect the same life as stock bulbs however. Check online - I paid £16.99 for a pair inc shipping.
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wackojacko
8,458 posts
59 months
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They are a vast improvement over normal lamps on our family barge (Saab 9000 CDE).
Pretty good life span aswell.
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speedmachine
Original Poster
364 posts
76 months
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g3org3y said: Decent bulbs, always heard good reports (plus always decent write ups in Auto Express bulbs tests).
Also worth considering the newer Philips X-Treme Vision. I believe they are supposed to be rated even higher (+80%).
Should be able to get them cheaper than £30 online though I would have thought? What type of fitment is the A4? I think the A4 is H7 fitment. £30 was just the first price I saw via Google. I've seen some much cheaper prices from sellers on places like ebay and Amazon but worried they might be fakes! lol I'll look into the Philips version too.
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TallPaul
933 posts
127 months
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VxDuncan said: 100w aren't road legal. This is true.
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_Batty_
11,629 posts
119 months
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we had them on our RS Megane.
Utter rubbish for the money. Barely any differene in light or colour, and one just managed to last 12 months.
i won't be getting them again.
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PoleDriver
20,229 posts
63 months
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I've used Nightbreaker Plus in my last three cars, they're far better than standard and much cheaper than any other method of improving light output, and they're completely legal! 
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road_rager
856 posts
68 months
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I use Bosch +90 on my bike & for a standard 55w bulb they are excellent. You can get them on a deal from halfords.
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blearyeyedboy
2,569 posts
48 months
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Remember that VOSA are cracking down on HID kits that don't self-level, and they will be checked in MOT's from 1st Jan 2012.
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Big_Dog
559 posts
54 months
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I fitted some to my X5 and can see a better colour temperature and thing seems clearer by what feels like some 20% So all in great value at the £17 I paid on Ebay.
In short I am a happy punter.
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Jamz3k
33 posts
35 months
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I use Philips X-Treme bulbs on my car, I got a set for dipped and main beams. Very very good headlights, it could be just in my head but i definitely thought they looked better after a good few hours run-in.
Bad points, my dipped bulbs only lasted a years.
Good points, my main beams have lasted 3 years.
I have a set of Halfords Advanced superdooper bulbs at the minute as my dipped lights and they are truely awful.
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ferkle
535 posts
82 months
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I've not used Nightbreakers, but I do rate Silverstars nice white light, good pattern and very bright.
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jbi
5,284 posts
73 months
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blearyeyedboy said: Remember that VOSA are cracking down on HID kits that don't self-level, and they will be checked in MOT's from 1st Jan 2012. it's a good thing the OP is on about bulbs and not gas discharge lights then eh?
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steveo3002
2,314 posts
43 months
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ive tried em , nice improvement over standard bulbs
possibly dont last as long , might just be me though
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FLK
127 posts
67 months
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I've had the Philips X-Treme bulbs fitted along with Vision Plus bulbs for dipped beams and they are both noticably better expecially in bad weather where I felt the standard bulbs seemed a bit lacking in distance and intensity. As Jamz3k said they did seem to take a few trips out to reach full brightness though, at first I thought they were a waste of money but after a short period of use they were clearly an improvement.
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Babu 01
1,547 posts
68 months
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blearyeyedboy said: Remember that VOSA are cracking down on HID kits that don't self-level, and they will be checked in MOT's from 1st Jan 2012. Totally incorrect. The 2012 issue Tester's Manual states: Manual said: Vehicles equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with headlamp washers and a suspension or headlamp self levelling system.
Where such systems are fitted, they must work; however, it is accepted that it may not be possible to readily determine the functioning of self levelling systems. In such cases, the benefit of the doubt must be given. http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MOT%20Inspection%20Manual.pdf There is no compulsion within the upcoming MOT changes for self levelling suspension or headlamp washers to be fitted to HID equipped cars. If such systems are fitted they must work but even then self levelling must be given the benefit of the doubt if it is not observed to operate as it is impractical to check it's operation during an MOT test.
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